Many software products start as small projects or proof-of-concepts: “Can we even build this?” or “We just need a quick tool for X.” But prototypes become MVPs, and MVPs turn into serious products—and this is where the danger lies.

The crucial moment when a project becomes a product is often overlooked. Yet project management and product management follow entirely different principles. Treating a product like a project leads to the wrong metrics, prioritizing short-term deadlines over long-term maintainability, and making decisions that can jeopardize success in the long run. Quality standards shift, focusing solely on features is no longer enough—scalability, maintainability, and strategic planning take center stage.

In this talk, we explore how to recognize when a project transitions into a product, the management and development pitfalls that arise, and how teams can navigate this shift successfully to ensure sustainable product success.